Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are the leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age throughout the world.  Bordetalla pertussis causes more than 300,000 deaths per year, 90% of which occur in developing countries. While easily treated with antibiotics, more than half of all infants infected with B. pertussis require hospitalization, even in the United States. Because the initial symptoms of this bacterial infection are indistinguishable from viral ARIs, diagnosis based on clinical symptoms alone is impossible, and many infants are not treated until too late. Molecular diagnostics via polymerase chain reaction (a resource, equipment, and training intensive method) is the medical standard, but is not readily available at most doctors' offices or clinics. Dr. Linnes is proposing a novel diagnostic platform, using capillary flow through ultra-low-cost paper modules that would enable early detection, and both timely and appropriate treatment for these young patients worldwide, resulting in improved treatment outcomes.

The proposed test uses pre-loaded reagents in paper-based modules to combine sample filtration and cell capture, isothermal nucleic acid amplification and visual detection into a single instrument-free device. The diagnostic test will require only 35 minutes to complete. Ultimately, this device has the potential to provide molecular diagnosis of other respiratory diseases, all within the confines of the doctor's office or clinic.